Merle Haggard has been warning of American decline in his blunt, proud, sometimes inflammatory way since at least 1969. That's when he exploded to fame with "Okie From Muskogee," a nationalistic anthem that frowned on marijuana, hippies, love beads and the 60's Zeitgeist in general.

Merle Haggard has gone political again. More than 20 years after his hit song ''Okie From Muskogee'' made him one of the most outspoken tongue waggers in country music, Mr. Haggard, who is to perform tomorrow night at the Ritz with his 10-piece band, the Strangers, has decided to protest the protesters in a new song called ''Me and Crippled Soldiers.

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